Is 7 too old to train to drive?

[wrenhart]

Hi...I have just started in minis.. I have had horses all my life , I am 45 now and have been without a horse for 5 years now and want to start driving. I had a trainer tell me a 7 year old is past the training age and won't be reliable...I think they are being to judgemental without seeing her or even wanting to put 30 days one her for me...I really think she will do fine..I am just wanting to go down the road not compete or anything. Would like your input pro and con, Thanks Renee in CA

 

[_minihorses4ever_]

Well, I am in the process of starting my 7 year old right now.. I have a friend who is going to start her 14 year old mare too! So I say it would be fine.

 

[barrelchick93]

I don't see anything wrong with that

: Personally I would like to brake an older horse to drive than a younger one

:

 

[hobbyhorse23]

That's...ummm..."interesting."

: Does this trainer think that just because SHE isn't a kid anymore, she's too old to learn?? I don't think anyone, two- or four-footed, is ever too old to pick up new skills. Your mare may need a little while to get comfortable with the idea as she didn't grow up with it as part of her accepted "normal," but I'd find another trainer and get that girl driving.

: Besides, seven isn't old by any standards accept the halter show ring or a race track.

Leia

 

[HGFarm]

Wow, my first Mini was a stallion that I trained to drive at five, and he was a driving FOOL.

My novice granddaughter is training an 8 year old mare right now to drive and she is taking to it like a duck to water (hope Mona sees this!!)

Perhaps this 'trainer' is not familiar with how SMART and WILLING the Minis are? I have known of many others that were not trained til later- after maturity, and did just fine!!

Personally, I guess I would look for another trainer!!

 

[wrenhart]

THANK YOU!!!! I was beginning to think that mini's were from another planet or something...I will look for another trainer...I really just want tohave 30 days of training with knowledgeable mini driving trainer then I will take over and will need guidance Iam sure, anyone know a good trianer in or near central CA? Thanks for the great info, Ren and Holly

 

[disneyhorse]

Lots of warmblood people (like Andalusians and Lipizzans and stuff) don't even START breaking their horses to ride until they are at least five years old. Those horses mature late.

Seven isn't old, as long as the horse is otherwise used to being handled and messed with.

Andrea

 

[Sue_C.]

I started a mini stallion, and gelding, at four, onde mare at eight, another at ten, and never had a problem with any of them. I plan to start my other stallion in a year or two, and he's thirteen now.

I also started/trained a morgan mare at six, with no problem either...that was the latest "biggie".

 

[nootka]

The first horse I trained to drive was 5, and then I went with an oldster, as he was 10. Both learned so quickly, I could barely believe they hadn't been trained previously.

They were both wonderful. I would not hesitate to start any horse as long as they were sound and again had decent ground manners as I require of all of my driving prospects (i.e., understand tying/leading/space issues and reasonable grasp of voice commands).

Liz

 

[Fred]

My roadster gelding was not hooked until he was five years old and then went on to become a two time national champion amateur roadster. I will be breaking my eight year old classic gelding to drive this fall. Linda B

 

[wiccanz]

Providing they are physically and mentally healthy, there is no reason not to harness train an older horse

I recently trained a 5 year old mare for a client, she was awesomely easy and sensible to train, and the owner and her daughter are having a lovely time driving her, and will be out competing this season.

Compared to the 2 year olds that I am starting at the moment, she was a breeze :bgrin

 

[miniapp]

Nope... she is just about the perfect age... some of my best driving horses weren't started until they were 5 years or older.

:

Suzy Hooper

Show Horses by Suzy

Fresno, CA

 

[Pretty_Mini]

I started my stallion at 11 years old. He was great. Took his mide of the girls.

Im now working on my mare, whos 8 years old. Shes getting the hang of it.

 

[wrenhart]

Providing they are physically and mentally healthy, there is no reason not to harness train an older horse

I recently trained a 5 year old mare for a client, she was awesomely easy and sensible to train, and the owner and her daughter are having a lovely time driving her, and will be out competing this season.

Compared to the 2 year olds that I am starting at the moment, she was a breeze :bgrin

OK Susie....I am in Visalia, and a trainer in Bakersfiled told me 'she was past the age of training' I am just starting in mini's, had lag=rge horse for over 35 years and trained most of them to ground drive before ridind but minis are nes to me, I have been out of horses for 5 years and missed them but dont want to ride I want to drive, but I need help starting this mini mare I just bought , she is being shipped from Oregon to me this weekend and I want to do everything right with her...any suggetions for a trainer...are you avaialable?

 

[R Whiteman]

We have found that the older horses are actually easier in some ways to train to drive. Their experiences have gotten them through the worst of the silly behavior and allow them to come to their driving training with a longer attention span and physical strength and a fair amount of confidence. (this of course, depends in some way on their treatment up to the point of training)

My first "older" driving horse was tried as a broodmare for 9 years before the owners gave up and sold her to me for a song. She went on to win in single pleasure driving and roadster. She did parades and pleasure drives and was one of the best horses I have owned.

More recently my wife "rescued" a 16 year old shetland who spent his entire life on a picket line, or sequestered in a small two horse trailer. When "freed" he was gelded, and broke to drive. He is afraid of very little and in tight spots, he stops and waits for directions. He recently completed his first CDE a little less than a year after his rescue.

Do not give up on your hope for a good driving horse.

 

[wiccanz]

OK Susie....I am in Visalia, and a trainer in Bakersfiled told me 'she was past the age of training' I am just starting in mini's, had lag=rge horse for over 35 years and trained most of them to ground drive before ridind but minis are nes to me, I have been out of horses for 5 years and missed them but dont want to ride I want to drive, but I need help starting this mini mare I just bought , she is being shipped from Oregon to me this weekend and I want to do everything right with her...any suggetions for a trainer...are you avaialable?

I'm Brigid, not Susie :bgrin

And I would love to help you out, but it might be a bit expensive as I live in New Zealand!! :new_shocked: :bgrin

However, as you say you've already ground driven your riding horses, I don't think you will have much trouble starting your miniature in harness - compared to big horses, they are a doddle! :bgrin

Good luck, and I'm sure you will find a trainer closer to home if you need one :bgrin

Brigid

ETA: Whoops, unless you simply quoted me by mistake, but meant to quote/talk to Suzy? Not to worry

 

[Jill]

One of my geldings, Tibbs Sundowner, will be learning to drive this fall and he's a 1998 horse. His age never crossed my mind as a factor.

A friend of mine (who is a member here) will maybe see this and reply. Years ago, she had a broodmare trained to drive. I think that mare was 12yo or so when she was started.

 

[wrenhart]

OOPs

: Sorry.... Brigid..yes I really meant to add to Suzy but of course I am new to this type of posting and mucked that up...but I am learning so much from everyone and gaining confidence as well...Suzy is an hour from me and it seems she trains so was hoping she could give me some assistance...DO NOT want to much my mare up ! She is such a sweety ...Thanks and any more advice or leads to where I can find out more about starting a driving mini would be greatly apreciated.Ren

 

[joyenes]

7 to old? Heck NO! I trained my first mini to drive a few years back and he was 15 years young plus a stallion! He did very well in his first year driving but in his second year he did FANTASTIC! One rated show he won 7 1st out of 8 possible in cpd. He was born for it. Do to a horrible freak accident last fall his driving career is over

Never let someone tell something can't be done, if I would have listen to people telling me not to train an older stalion as my first driver we would have never had such a memorable two years together

: Joyce

 

[wrenhart]

7 to old? Heck NO! I trained my first mini to drive a few years back and he was 15 years young plus a stallion! He did very well in his first year driving but in his second year he did FANTASTIC! One rated show he won 7 1st out of 8 possible in cpd. He was born for it. Do to a horrible freak accident last fall his driving career is over

Never let someone tell something can't be done, if I would have listen to people telling me not to train an older stalion as my first driver we would have never had such a memorable two years together

: Joyce

Joyce Sosorry to hear he had an accident and can't be driven any more...I am grateful to all of you who have spoken up and let me know that it can be done..I really thought it was possible to train an older mare to drive, older she is still young, hey I am too for that matter :bgrin and we will do our best to get on the road and have a balst...Thanks sop much for the encouragement..I still need to be directed to a "how to teach a mini to drive" section...Thanks Renee and Holly :saludando: